Is Pediatric HH a good start for future in nicu/picu

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I really want to work in NICU or PICU one day but at the hospitals in my area they don't take new grads at all. I am also having problems getting hired on at the children's hospital here as they seem to hire from the local schools first.

I was thinking of looking into some of the pediatric home health agencies in my area. Since I have a BSN two places in town have said they would hire me with less than a year experience.

The main question is would this be a good start to get experience and hopefully get on at a NICU/PICU in a year or two?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I went to PICU from home care. Be sure to be taking high-acuity cases (aka- vent cases). That will give you the best experience.

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I did as well

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

Sounds like private duty, not home health. But medicare/medicaid requires a year of experience. Some agencies cover for you, but if you are found out, you can get in trouble. Private insurance may have different rules. Have you considered a peds office with a Dr that works in the unit you want to be in? You could work with the Dr in an office setting and get him to put in a good reference for you down the road.

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The main place I've been looking at that is willing to hire me does mainly vents which is why I was looking at them. SDALPN I would actually love to work at a Dr's office but they unfortunately are not willing to hire unless you have 1-2 years of experience as they do not want to train anyone. I'm sure if I knew any of the doctor's offices around here better it could be easier to get on but all the one's I've spoken to have specifically stated not till I have more experience. Thanks for the help everyone!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I went to PICU from home care. Be sure to be taking high-acuity cases (aka- vent cases). That will give you the best experience.

^THIS...:yes:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Sounds like private duty not home health.[/quote']

Private duty still falls under home health...either you do visits or 1:1...I've done both...and most agencies call it "home health care"...never heard it as anything else...*shrugs* Still falls into the umbrella of doing "home care" :)

I had a case load limit of up to 3 cases...usually one was a "transitional" case; when a child is released from the hospital; usually from a step-down or a PICU. I got to do a lot of teaching, collaborated with the office care manager and the physician, and therapists and the family.

I kept a variety of high acuity/high tech patients...some are stable, and some have such acuity, the kiddos will end up in the hospital, and the flexibility to go the other client works out well-no break in experience (or in your budget. ;) )

You get to be involved in family-centered care, get familiar with pt/family dynamics, and there is an opportunity to be able to learn how to be flexible and creative in working in Home Home Health.

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

Private duty still falls under home health...either you do visits or 1:1...I've done both...and most agencies call it "home health care"...never heard it as anything else...*shrugs* Still falls into the umbrella of doing "home care" :)

I had a case load limit of up to 3 cases...usually one was a "transitional" case; when a child is released from the hospital; usually from a step-down or a PICU. I got to do a lot of teaching, collaborated with the office care manager and the physician, and therapists and the family.

I kept a variety of high acuity/high tech patients...some are stable, and some have such acuity, the kiddos will end up in the hospital, and the flexibility to go the other client works out well-no break in experience (or in your budget. ;) )

You get to be involved in family-centered care, get familiar with pt/family dynamics, and there is an opportunity to be able to learn how to be flexible and creative in working in Home Home Health.

The reason the comment was made is because there is a private duty forum (shifts) and a home health forum (visits). S/he would get more replies in the right forum. Also, in my state insurance uses the term "PDN" for shifts and home health for visits. However, some agencies do both and then I see it written as home health.

To the OP, read through some of the posts already on the board about new grads doing PDN. That may help as well. Sorry the Dr offices won't hire without experience. I think we all ran into that problem as new grads. But once a door opens (that isn't a risk to your license), you well have an easier time getting hired after that year of experience.

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